Here’s a list of some of my music theory articles. Enjoy!
Tips for Practicing Music – structuring and scheduling practice, improving sight reading, preparing for music practice, setting a key of the week, using 2 minute music practice sessions, practicing with a metronome, practicing with MIDI, adding ear training to your practice, rhythmic practice, retrogressive chaining to ensure a strong finish to a musical performance.
Beats Per Measure – this article dispels a common mistake made by many music students and even music teachers that a time signature shows the number of beats per measure.
Music News – latest news about music shown at the bottom of this page.
Chord Substitutions — how to add color to your music by substitution a different chord from the one originally indicating the music composer or arranger.
Magic Ear Trainer — a program I wrote to help students improve their ear for music. Focuses on intervalic ear training.
Memorizing Music – how to meet your goal of getting a piece music solidly memorized so you won’t forget it in performance!
Hi Phil…I wrote to you some time ago and mentioned that I love your book. …..I’ve also enjoyed your theory articles. I am trying to memorize music the way you suggested and was surprised that it worked for me as I never thought I could “see” the music I’m playing in my head. ……I’d greatly appreciate your writing an article on how to find the goal note in phrases. I am trying to improve how I teach interpretation and an article about this topic would be very helpful. ….Best wishes, Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your comment. I’ll put an article on “goal notes in phrases” on my to do list! I’m so busy lately hiring bands for my New Year’s Eve parties that I don’t have as much time as I would like for writing. I’m hiring at least five bands, maybe six! Hoping that one of them will play a tune I’m writing.